Bessie Coleman’s Story Takes Flight Through Documentary and Book “Queen of the Skies”

The family of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn an international pilot license, is working to keep her legacy alive through a new book, documentary, and youth aviation program.

Gigi Coleman, Bessie Coleman’s great-niece, co-authored “Queen of the Skies” with Captain Beth Powell and later teamed up with her again to create the documentary Discovering Bessie Coleman, which debuted at the Essence Film Festival.

“She always wanted aunt Bessie to be known,” Gigi said, explaining how the pioneering aviator raised her mother. “We came up with the documentary to keep the legacy going.”

Powell, one of the first Black female captains at American Eagle Airlines and the first Black female pilot manager at American Airlines, said the family’s stories inspired the film.

“Bessie Coleman’s story was very near and dear to my heart,” Powell said. “As a black woman pilot, there are less than 150 of us today in the United States of America. That’s not even a percentage of the number of pilots out there.”

Gigi also founded the Bessie Coleman Aviation All Stars program in Chicago to introduce students to careers in aviation, currently at Gwendolyn Brooks High School.

The program includes history lessons, career exploration, and field trips to meet aviation professionals. It has expanded to Oklahoma and will launch in Jacksonville, Florida, this fall.

Gigi portrays her great-aunt in character to educate audiences. “It makes me feel so honored to be a part of this aviation world,” she said. “Now everyone can be involved in aviation.”

“She didn’t let her circumstances hold her down,” Powell said. “Instead, she looked for ways around the obstacles she faced so that she could become. All of us have a little Bessie Coleman in us if we tap in deep. And that’s why in sharing her story, the timeless principle of who she was, how she navigated, put education before anything else, and she soared.”

People who want to email Gigi Coleman regarding the program can send a message to Gigi@Flagweb.com